NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The long-suffering U.S. jobs market improved significantly in November, as employers trimmed the fewest jobs of any month since the start of the recession, and the unemployment rate posted the biggest one-month decline in more than three years.

U.S. payrolls slipped 11,000 jobs in the month, far below any of the job losses posted over the last 23 months. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had forecast a loss of 125,000 jobs in November.

The October and September job loss estimates were also revised sharply lower, trimming previous job loss estimates by 159,000 between them.

The new reading put October job losses at 111,000 jobs, and September's loss estimate was cut to 139,000. Each of those new estimates would have been the smallest declines in more than a year.

The unemployment rate improved to 10% in the month. Economists had forecast it would remain at the 10.2% level reached in October, which had been a 26-year high. The unemployment rate had risen in 12 of the previous 13 months before November.

"I think it's a little bit premature for champagne, but after enduring two years of really bad news, let's enjoy this one," said Jay Bryson, economist with Wells Fargo Securities. "You've got to walk before you start running. I don't think we're walking yet, but we're starting to get back up on our feet."

Long-term unemployment remains gloomy. Still, the number of jobs lost -- even with the lower revisions -- since the start of 2008 is 7.2 million. And that only captures the net loss of jobs, and doesn't give a full picture of the large pool of those without work or income.

The report showed 15.4 million Americans are now unemployed and seeking work, although that's down 325,000 from the October reading. Another 6 million want jobs but are not counted as part of the labor force because they have stopped looking.

Add to that group the 9.2 million who have only found part-time work when they want full-time jobs or have had their hours cut as a result of the downturn, and that brings to 30.6 million Americans who are not able to find the full-time job they want or need.

The long-term unemployment problem was worse in November than at any time in the 61 years those records have been kept. A record 5.9 million people have been out of work for more than 6 months, as the average length of time those with work have been without a job rose to 28.5 weeks.

Rises in work week, temp hiring. Still, there were signs of good news in the report beyond the overall drop in unemployment and sharp decline in job losses. One is that the average work week increased to 33.2 hours from a record low of only 33 hours in October, a sign that employers who had cut the hours of their workers were starting to restore those hours.

The jump in work week meant the total number of hours worked by American workers increased by 0.6%, the biggest such jump in three years, which was crucial to help lift the size of paychecks, even as average wages remained relatively unchanged. And that is important for feeding into the recovery in the economy.
0:00 /05:06Google CEO: Small biz key to recovery

"Consumer spending is a function of income, not jobs," said Bryson. "Working people longer hours is a way of creating more income."

Another hopeful sign cited by economists was a 52,000 increase in the number of temporary workers. Typically employers bring on temporary help before they add permanent employees. It was the biggest jump in temporary help in five years.

"The temporary workers and the longer hours, those are signs this is finally going in right direction," said Tig Gilliam, CEO of Adecco Group North America, a unit of the world's largest employment staffing firm. "Now we need to get to creating 200,000 to 300,000 jobs a month. That's what it'll take to get improvement in labor market. It's very possible it can be in the second quarter of next year."

White House still concerned. The report came the day after the Obama administration held a "jobs summit" at the White House, during which business leaders, economists and policymakers discussed what could be done to end the job losses.

President Obama continued to focus on the job situation during a trip to Allentown, Pa., Friday, at which he toured Allentown Metal Works and a community college. He said he would announce additional measures Tuesday that he will send to Congress in an effort to jumpstart private sector hiring.

"This is good news, just in time for the season of hope. But I want to keep this in perspective," the president said. "Good trends don't pay the rent. We've got to actually grow jobs and get America back to work as quickly as we can."

Alan Krueger, the Treasury Department's chief economist, said the report and other economic readings show that the layoffs have slowed but that hiring still remains weak.

"The trend of slow healing continues but there is a long way to go before the labor market returns to full health," he said. While Krueger said there are many encouraging signs in the report, "unemployment remained unacceptably high."

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele issued a statement pointing out that the economy has lost 2.8 million jobs since the Obama administration passed its economic stimulus bill in February, and that the unemployment rate remains in double digits.

"If President Obama is truly interested in job creation, then he should stop campaigning for re-election, stop pushing 'Stimulus II,' and start working with Republicans on common-sense conservative solutions," said Steele. To top of page

So we are now applauding "fewer" jobs LOST....during the 11th month of the Obama administration....

When we get "back" to the unemployment numbers we had in January-February 2009...then, MAYBE, we can begin a conversation about what "cons" don't want to hear....

:shrug:

KC Dan

12-04-2009, 09:10 PM

I really, really want to be happy about the unemployment situation but until the below is reversed - there is little hope of that occurring at least within the next 12-18 months. This part is the most illuminating part of the November report and your article not the reduction in lost jobs or the rate.

"And that only captures the net loss of jobs, and doesn't give a full picture of the large pool of those without work or income.

The report showed 15.4 million Americans are now unemployed and seeking work, although that's down 325,000 from the October reading. Another 6 million want jobs but are not counted as part of the labor force because they have stopped looking.

Add to that group the 9.2 million who have only found part-time work when they want full-time jobs or have had their hours cut as a result of the downturn, and that brings to 30.6 million Americans who are not able to find the full-time job they want or need.

The long-term unemployment problem was worse in November than at any time in the 61 years those records have been kept. A record 5.9 million people have been out of work for more than 6 months, as the average length of time those with work have been without a job rose to 28.5 weeks."

Do you have a large enough emergency fund to cover 28.5 weeks?

KCTitus

12-04-2009, 09:21 PM

MAX!!!! where you been? Hiding, obviously.

That's right...this is bad news for the conservatives. I mean unemployment drops from 10.2 to 10% but economists say that unemployment will continue to rise.

Republicans should be shaking in their boots over this news.

Mr. Kotter

12-04-2009, 09:24 PM

.....

The long-term unemployment problem was worse in November than at any time in the 61 years those records have been kept. A record 5.9 million people have been out of work for more than 6 months, as the average length of time those with work have been without a job rose to 28.5 weeks."

Do you have a large enough emergency fund to cover 28.5 weeks?

What cracks me up is the "spin" in all of this; they choose to tout the ONLY possible "positive" from these numbers; if Bush were still in office, I 100% guarantee that the "spin" would be far different...and the likely emphasis, from the DNC talking points....and from the major outlets of MSM would be the statement in red.

Unbelievable the absolute sucking-off to "support" their guy....by the MSM as I have ever seen in my life. THIS....coming from a guy who voted for him, and despite reservations would still vote for him again...given the same alternative we had in the last election.

It's the complete dishonesty and "spin" that I find so offensive....wow. :shake:

ChiTown

12-04-2009, 10:18 PM

MAX!!!! where you been? Hiding, obviously.

That's right...this is bad news for the conservatives. I mean unemployment drops from 10.2 to 10% but economists say that unemployment will continue to rise.

Republicans should be shaking in their boots over this news.

Real unemployment is said be over 17%. wow

Taco John

12-04-2009, 10:22 PM

Real unemployment is said be over 17%. wow

Hmmm... Another case where data has apparently gone missing.

BucEyedPea

12-04-2009, 11:00 PM

I am plugging my ears, covering my eyes and won't tell anyone!

Another case of being told things are better by experts while they still sukk. This is like patteeu saying there was no recession in 2007 when the madness of crowds knew better that things were cracking.

KCWolfman

12-04-2009, 11:21 PM

10% reported.

Many who were unemployed months ago still are but their benefits have run out - they are no longer counted by the government. Also note that many small business owners are not counted as well.
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fan4ever

12-04-2009, 11:57 PM

You know, it's always amazing to me that liberals think we conservatives want the country to suffer because "our guy" isn't in the Whitehouse. Truth is, I very much wanted this administration to have a clue economy wise; I have a business and a family to support; to wish otherwise would be ignorant. I'm just not as easily impressed as some others.

HonestChieffan

12-05-2009, 06:42 AM

You know, it's always amazing to me that liberals think we conservatives want the country to suffer because "our guy" isn't in the Whitehouse. Truth is, I very much wanted this administration to have a clue economy wise; I have a business and a family to support; to wish otherwise would be ignorant. I'm just not as easily impressed as some others.

Amen. No one is helped or benefited by a bad economy.

Bwana

12-05-2009, 07:01 AM

ROFL at this thread. I hope its' a joke?

KCWolfman

12-05-2009, 07:44 AM

ROFL at this thread. I hope its' a joke?

Absolutely, Bwana!

Tomorrow's headlines will read <b>"Mission Accomplished! At least our kids aren't eating the dead skin from their fingers for a meal like they were in the 30's!"</b>
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vailpass

12-05-2009, 07:44 AM

You know, it's always amazing to me that liberals think we conservatives want the country to suffer because "our guy" isn't in the Whitehouse. Truth is, I very much wanted this administration to have a clue economy wise; I have a business and a family to support; to wish otherwise would be ignorant. I'm just not as easily impressed as some others.

Absolutely. Cheering for your POTUS to fail is like cheering for your pilot to die. I distrusted obama and the puppet-masters that got him in office from day one but I support his office 100% and pray nightly for him to grow into the role. If obama can't show any more aptitude for the office than he has so far then I pray for someone who can do the job to step in, be they R,D, Libertarian or flying spaghetti monster.

BigRedChief

12-05-2009, 08:16 AM

REPOST!

jjjayb

12-05-2009, 09:39 AM

Absolutely. Cheering for your POTUS to fail is like cheering for your pilot to die. I distrusted obama and the puppet-masters that got him in office from day one but I support his office 100% and pray nightly for him to grow into the role. If obama can't show any more aptitude for the office than he has so far then I pray for someone who can do the job to step in, be they R,D, Libertarian or flying spaghetti monster.

Flying spaghetti monster gets my vote!

Chief Henry

12-05-2009, 10:56 AM

I really, really want to be happy about the unemployment situation but until the below is reversed - there is little hope of that occurring at least within the next 12-18 months. This part is the most illuminating part of the November report and your article not the reduction in lost jobs or the rate.

"And that only captures the net loss of jobs, and doesn't give a full picture of the large pool of those without work or income.

The report showed 15.4 million Americans are now unemployed and seeking work, although that's down 325,000 from the October reading. Another 6 million want jobs but are not counted as part of the labor force because they have stopped looking.

Add to that group the 9.2 million who have only found part-time work when they want full-time jobs or have had their hours cut as a result of the downturn, and that brings to 30.6 million Americans who are not able to find the full-time job they want or need.

The long-term unemployment problem was worse in November than at any time in the 61 years those records have been kept. A record 5.9 million people have been out of work for more than 6 months, as the average length of time those with work have been without a job rose to 28.5 weeks."

Do you have a large enough emergency fund to cover 28.5 weeks?

I suppose loosing a football game by 28 points is better than loosing by 31 points :doh!:

googlegoogle

12-06-2009, 01:26 PM

Obama is terrible. Should be impeached.

Norman Einstein

12-06-2009, 03:20 PM

The good news is that unemployment is still growing, but not as fast is it once was?

How do you decrease unemployment when the jobless rate is still rising? Is that some of the voodoo math that Ben Stein was talking about?

Norman Einstein

12-06-2009, 03:20 PM

Obama is terrible. Should be impeached.

There is already a start, he is impeared!

patteeu

12-07-2009, 09:07 AM

I am plugging my ears, covering my eyes and won't tell anyone!

Another case of being told things are better by experts while they still sukk. This is like patteeu saying there was no recession in 2007 when the madness of crowds knew better that things were cracking.

When I said there wasn't a recession, there wasn't a recession. I know that definitions aren't really important to you so I realize that you won't be able to understand this.